My son has just moved from the UK to Wichita in the USA for 4 years of University.
He took with him his beloved (unlocked) Curve 3g and thought he would simply buy a prepay SIM in the US and continue to use his phone as he has in the UK, especially for BBM and email.

In the UK he has been paying £10 (about $15) per month with T Mobile for all services ... BIS, 400 texts, 1MB data and pay as you use minuets.
In the T Mobile store in Wichita he has been told that it would be a minimum of $50 per month for the same services!

Is this true?

Surly customers in the USA do not have to spend 5 times more than we do in the UK for a fairly basic bundle which includes being able to use BBM (+ data and texts)

Is he looking in the wrong place or asking for the wrong services?
What would you expect to pay in the USA for the privilege of using BBM?